British PM backs gay marriage

British Prime Minister David Cameron has declared his support for marriage equality while speaking at the Tory Party Conference in Manchester, urging his party and its supporters to do the same.

Cameron said in the speech that he based his support on conservative values.

“To anyone who has reservations, I say this: Yes, it’s about equality, but it’s also about something else: commitment,” he said.

“Conservatives believe in the ties that bind us; that society is stronger when we make vows to each other and support each other.

“So I don’t support gay marriage in spite of being a Conservative, I support gay marriage because I am a Conservative.”

Cameron’s comments come just days after US President Barack Obama welcomed grass roots support for marriage equality.

“It’s progress led not by Washington but by ordinary citizens, who are propelled not just by politics but by love and friendship and a sense of mutual regard,” Obama said.

“It’s playing out in legislatures like New York, and courtrooms and in the ballot box… it happens when a father realises he doesn’t just love his daughter, but also her wife.”

Australian Marriage Equality national convener Alex Greenwich said these speeches show how out of touch Australia’s political leaders are.

“Gillard and Abbott continue to be out of touch with a majority of Australians, and are now embarrassing us all by falling further and further behind their counterparts in the UK and USA,” he said.

“In stark contrast to David Cameron, Tony Abbott has failed to see that marriage equality fit in line with core conservative values…. and unlike Barack Obama, Julia Gillard has failed to acknowledge the strong grass roots support for marriage equality within her party’s support base.

“The majority of Australians who support equality deserve the leadership for reform that continues to be seen overseas, but continues to be denied to us at home.”